Deodorizer

ABSTRACT

Deodorant or perfume is dispensed from an absorbent material whenever a water closet is flushed. The absorbent material is over an air opening in a chamber which is filled with water after the water closet is flushed so that air is expelled through the absorbent material containing deodorant or the like and a small quantity is carried into the room air. The absorbent material may form the top of a chamber normally containing air and water or may be supported on a tray which forms the top. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is initially sealed with or enclosed by water soluble materials.

[ Feb. 13,1973

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 18,400 10/1892 Great Britain...........t................4/228 Primary ExaminerHouston S. Bell, .Ir. Assistant ExaminerDonald B. Massenberg Attorney-Wheeler, Wheeler, House & Clemency [57] ABSTRACT Deodorant or perfume is dispensed from an absorbent Frank G. Yadro, 7807 North 45th Street, Milwaukee, Wis.

Nov. 4, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 86,884

2 88888787 02 22222226 22222W22 9 ////l l/ 44444943 7 mm m2 mm u n" T m m N m m m u U u d munmu m e A ""r".." h P uLnenuan C nag w Tm S m umm m a E 3T. m 2 u m m T a k mw e A o ndfiadm n r. T ma duual. m .u S JRMAHKYK "m m D r E 00 032649 "8 T. 77945566 m I 99899999 N HHHHHHHH .f U 74604 2 0. l. .1 d .1 m Mae an 1 I ,3 ,3 ,2 013 1.1.. .l. MMHMM722 mw M 33 22233 United States Patent [191 Yadro 41 .DEODORIZER [76] Inventor:

2; Filed:

all

4 Claims,

material whenever a water closet isflushed. The absorbent material is over an air opening in a chamber flushed so that air is expelled through the absorbent material containing deodorant or the like and a small quantity is carried into the room air. The absorbent material may form the top of a chamber normally containing air and water or may be supported on a tray which forms the top. In some embodiments, the absorwater soluble materials.

v, t b d e s 0 1 c n e m m u M e W F g d n k m w a S m 2 h 9 a m m m m H w a I m t n b e 2 b which is filled with water after the water closet is PAIENTEDFEHHIBB I 3,715,765

' SHEET 1 OF. 2

DEODORIZER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is in some of its aspects an improvement on the device fU.S. Pat. No. 3,121,236, in that it may be added to the device there shown. In other aspects it is unrelated thereto since it may take other forms and may be used without the patented device. The dispensing of deodorant or masking perfume odors to dispel objectionable odors in the household, and particularly in the bathroom, has long been a problem. One old solution to the problem involves a wick type dispenser which operated continuously but is only capable of dispensing as much fluid as can be evaporated from the wick without any power source. Two objections to this procedure are that the amount dispensed in a given unit of time is very small, and dispensing occurs at a constant rate, regardless of the need. This means that the objectionable odors will fluctuate in the same manner as formerly, although perhaps at a lower level of noticeability. It is a well known fact that the noticeability of an odor depends more on the speed with which it is produced or approached than it does on the absolute intensity of the odor. Thus a bad odor which is produced suddenly is objectionable even though a deodorant and a masking scent are already present. By the same token, a masking scent or a deodorant are more noticeably effective if they are dispensed periodically rather than continuously.

The other main mechanism for dealing with odors is the sprayer, frequently an aerosol type. This is generally used periodically but requires deliberate consideration of the need and extra actions in order to carry it into effect, unlike the wick dispenser. The very young may not be capable or either, and in any case automatic periodic action is preferable. Both aerosol cans and bottle dispensers with wicks create disposal problems in some cases, while my device is reusable indefinitely by refilling the unit with the substance to be dispensed. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides dispensing means operated by the force of the displacement of air by water. In the preferred form the particular displacement involved is that which occurs in the tank of a water closet as the water and air volumes change during flushing and refill, thus dispensing deodorant, masking scent, or other vaporizable substance periodically, primarily when the need exists, automatically, and with as much force as required to put an adequate amount in the air. This is accomplished by passing all or some of the air in the water closet tank through a support for the material to be vaporized, such as sponge saturated with deodorant, as the tank empties and fills. The considerable force of incoming water supplies ample power, so much that it is practical to use a must smaller volume of air contained in a known sanitizer by modifying the'structure in contain a pad of deodorant in the path of expelled air. The essentials are a chamber in which air is displaced by water, and an outlet for the air through a vaporizable material.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view of a portion of a water closet tank showing an embodiment of my device installed therein.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through a modified form of my device which includes a plastic tray forming the top of a water chamber. I

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through a form of my device which includes a metal tray forming the top of a water chamber.

FIG. 4 shows a form of my device in which the absorbent material. is wrapped in a water soluble film.

FIG. 5 shows a modification in which the toilet tank is the chamber of my device.

FIG. 6 shows a modification in which the plastic tray of FIG. 2 is enclosed in a water soluble film.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of my device.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of my device. I

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of my device.

DEFINITIONS For the purposes of this application, deodorizer is defined as a device to dispense a deodorant into the air.

Deodorant is defined as including a masking perfume, a substance which reduces odors in air, or both. Preferably it does not readily mix with water, and is ordinarily oily although it may be a vaporizable solid. Such substances are well known and are commercially sold.

Covering an air vent is defined as including filling the vent.

DESCRIPTION As shown in FIG. I my device may advantageously consist of a plastic chamber or box 10 having waterproof sides and bottom. A hole 12 is provided in or near the bottom to permit water to enter. The chamber 10 is preferably provided with a molded ridge 14 to indicate the proper water level and with a malleable wire hanger means 16 to hang it within a water closet or toilet tank 18. The parts describedl thus far are the same as the device 0fU.S. Pat. No. 3,212,236, and if desired, a block of chemical 17 may be provided. For the purposes of the present invention it makes no difference whether the block is present or absent, but if used, it will perform the function of that patent. FIG. 1 also shows the conventional tank fill valve float 21 which shuts off the valve when water 19 reaches the pre-set level even with water line 14.

The top of chamber 10 is provided with an air vent opening 20 and has a body 22 of absorbent material consisting of artificial sponge across the air vent. The absorbent pad 22 need not be cellulose sponge but may be any material which permits the passage of air and retains a reasonable quantity of deodorant or other material to be vaporized so that deodorant is carried into the room air as air is displaced through the absorbent pad 22. Loosely packed paper toweling will work, as will gauze, cotton, and numerous other materials. As shown in FIG. 1, a block of open-celled plastic foam sponge fills the entire top air vent opening 20 of the plastic chamber 10. The sponge 22 is impregnated with deodorant liquid.

.With the deodorant filled absorbent material 22 covering the air vent 20 sufficiently so that air expelled from the chamber as water enters must pass through the absorbent material, my device will dispense deodorant to a room each time that the chamber 10 is filled. When the device is hung in a toilet tank 18 so that the rib 14 marking the water line is at the normal water line of the water closet tank 18 as shown in FIG.

ly to prevent mixing of the water and the deodorant but to prevent the oily deodorant from being forced upwardly out of the absorbent sponge. When the toilet is flushed, the water drains from the plastic box 10 to the level of the hole 12, being replaced by air which is drawn through the absorbent sponge 22. As the water closet tank 18 refills, water again enters the hole 12 and displaces the air through the sponge 22 again. At the same time, much more air is being displaced into the room from the water tank 18 as a whole, and consequently the deodorant is supplied to the room just when it is needed. The action is completely automatic as long as the supply of deodorant remains in the absorbent pad. When it is exhausted, it may be replaced simply by pouring additional deodorant on the absorbent material 22 from a separate container, such as a bottle or a plastic packet with a measured amount of the deodorant contained in it.

Another form of my device shown in FIG. 2 utilizes a tray 24 covering the top of the plastic chamber 10. The tray 24 is provided with one or more air vent openings 20' at the bottom of the tray which are covered by the absorbent material 22 such as sponge contained in the tray. As shown in the drawings the tray may be of molded plastic and comprise a box of reduced height which nests snugly into the top of box 10, with a flange 28 at the top edge to define its proper position. Preferably it is pierced so that the hanger of the box 10 may extend through it to hang over the top of the toilet tank, permitting the two boxes to fit more closely together. An air tight fit is not essential, particularly if the air vents are to be sealed with polyvinyl alcohol tape (FIGS. 4 and 6) and wetted by water within plastic box 10, since once the air vent is open it will offer an easier path for air to escape through the absorbent material.

The operation of the device is the same as that above described, but the tray 24 and the absorbent material 22 may be sold separately for installation in existing devices of the sort shown in my US. Pat. No. 3,121,236, thereby converting that device to the device of this invention. One method of packaging is to saturate the absorbent material with deodorant while the absorbent material is in the tray. The tray may then be wrapped in polyvinyl alcohol film 26 which is water soluble but which is not soluble in oils such as deodorants. (FIG. 6) In this manner the package may be dipped in water to open it before or after it is placed in the top of the plastic chamber 10.

A further method of packaging would be to place tape over the openings 20 in the bottom of the tray and another piece of tape over the top of the tray. When it was desired to place the deodorizer in service, the tape could be removed by the user or the tape could be v 1, the sponge 22 is above the water. This is not primari- FIG. 3 shows another form of the device in which the tray 24' is stamped metal. In addition the bottom wall 30 of the tray is shaped to provide certain additional advantages. The plastic tray 24 could be so shaped also. In this embodiment the bottom of the tray is substantially downwardly convex at the center 32 and a pair of elevated bottom portions 34 above any other part of the bottom are provided near each end, each portion 34 being provided with an air vent 20" at its highest point. It has been found that when the absorbent material 22 is packaged saturated with deodorant, the oily materials have a tendency to migrate downwardly and drip from the bottom of the absorbent material 22. If the tray has aflat floor, like tray 24, the oily materials may leak through the air vents 20" and be lost, either immediately or when any covering over the air vents is removed. This is wasteful and messy, and may temporarily cause an undue concentration of the masking odor in the room air. With the tray 24', the oily material is directed away from the air vents 20" by the shape of the bottom 30 of the tray and collects in the depression 32. The height of the tray 24' is desirably such that the air vents 20" are a trifle below the water line 14. Thus when water enters the chamber 10, as it reaches the water line 14, it also enters the tray through the air vents 20". The oily materials comprising the deodorant float on water and are displaced upwardly to be reabsorbed in the sponge while the water fills depressions 32 around vents 20". If the oily material again migrates out of the sponge 22, it will again collect in the depressed bottom 32 above any water there and will be lifted into the sponge 22 as the water reaches its highest level 14 on each flush cycle of the water closet. Thus it remains available for use and is supplied to the room in normal quantities during each flush cycle.

The sizes of the various parts are not critical and may be varied within broad limits to supply the desired amount of masking perfume or deodorant, or both, to a room during each flush cycle of the water closet. In practice I have used a plastic box 10 which is about 1% inches from front to back, 3% inches wide, and 6 inches high with hole 12 1% inches above the bottom and water line 14 4% inches above the bottom and have placed a block of open-celled cellulose sponge 22 in the top of the box saturated with deodorant. The sponge was 1% inches square by 3% inches long to be a snug fit in the open top 20 of the box. I have also placed the same sponge 22 in a molded plastic tray 24 which was a snug fit in the top of the same plastic box and had the configuration shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, with the same sponge I have used a metal tray which was a snug fit in the same box and which had the configuration shown in FIG. 3. In all of these cases the device functioned satisfactorily with a deodorant including a masking perfume sold as Pine MG. 7165 by P. Robertel, Inc., 566 West Lake, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

' carrying deodorant.

Because the dimensions are non-critical the chamber may be the water closet tank 18 itself provided that it is sealed sufficiently at the top so that the air, or a reasonable portion of it, passes through the absorbent material saturated with deodorant and masking perfume. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5 a large flat plastic tray 40 may be provided with an air vent 42 and apad of absorbent material 22 saturated with deodorant. Tray 40 is installed at the top of the toilet tank 18, beneath the lid 44, and makes most air leaving the tank pass through the air vent 42 and absorbent pad 22 when the air is displaced by water rising in the tank 18, in the same manner that air is displaced by water rising in box 10.

Projections 46, which may be buttons, ribs or the like, but which must be discontinuous, support the top 44 of tank 18 with a slight air gap from tray or closure 40. The bottom of tray 40 is flat for good contact with the top edge of tank 18. Thus air leaves tank 18 primarily or entirely through absorbent material 22, If too much deodorant is discharged when tank 18 is used as the chamber of my device, added air outlets may be provided by adding projections 46 to the bottom of closure 40, by providing additional vents 42 with absorbent material 22 not saturated with deodorant (other materials could then be dispensed), or by providing uncovered openings 48 of a size variable by a slide 50 or by other conventional means. Closure 40 may be formed of a material which can be trimmed to the shape of tank 18.

FIG. 7 shows a variation of my device in which the chamber 10 is tall enough to extend from the bottom of tank 18 to a point well above the water line. Tray 24" is similar to the tray 24' shown in FIG. 3 but is provided with a single central raised portion 30 containing an air vent 20" and a single depressed portion of the bottom 32' surrounding the dome 30'. A pad 22 of vaporizable substance or of absorbent material containing a vaporizable substance fills tray 24" above dome 30. A cover 60 closes the top of tray 24" and of chamber 10 and is provided with an opening 200 covered with a piece of tape 64. A similar piece of tape may be placed over opening 12 placed near the bottom of chamber 10 to admit water. If desired, opening 12 may be sufficiently above the bottom so that a sanitizing chemical such as that disclosed in the patent above referred to may be placed in the bottom of the chamber 10. The device of this embodiment needs no hanger but is simply placed on the bottom of tank 18 after the tape 64 has been removed from the two openings. Other methods of uncovering the openings may be provided if desired. The device is preferably sufficiently heavy so that it will remain upright on the bottom of tank 18 for an indefinite time.

FIG. 8 shows a device similar to the device of FIG. 1, but which is provided with the cover 60 provided with a tube nipple 202 and plastic tube 68 leading to a discharge head 70 which is preferably decorative and may be hung on the outside of toilet tank 18 or may be hung or adhered to the wall or some article near the desired place of discharge of the vaporizable material. For instance, it might be adhered to a wall adjacent the washbasin in the same room which the water closet occupies so that deodorant will be discharged at that location rather than at the water closet. In some circumstances this would be advantageous since the outlet coul be between the individual and the water closet,

thereby having a tendency to more effectively reduce odors reaching the individual; Also the action of the device would be more noticeable.

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of my device which combines advantageous features of the device of FIGS. 7 and 8 in that it comprises a tall chamber 10 resting on the bottom of water closet tank 18 and extending above the high water line. A pad of absorbent material 22 fills the top of chamber 10 and a cover 60 closes the top of container 10' with the exception of a tube nipple 202 and a tube 68 leading to a discharge head 70. The operation of the device is as described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8. If desired, in this case chamber 10 may be a simple tube without ends, the open bottom comprising the port for the entry of water and the open top comprising the vent for the discharge of air through the tube 68.

The various features of the disclosed embodiments may be used in conjunction or separately, or may be used to form new embodiments, the scope of my invention being limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed:

1. In a deodorizer, a chamber adapted to contain water and air, passage means adapted to transfer water to and from said chamber, an air vent opening in said chamber, said opening being adapted to admit air to said chamber when water is drained therefrom and to release air from said chamber when water enters said chamber, absorbent means containing air freshening evaporable material across said air opening, a support adapted to hold the chamber at a pre-selected level in the tank of a water closet relative to normal water level therein, said pre-selected level being such that the normal water level in said tank is above said water passage means and below said absorbent means, an impervious top member extending across the top of said chamber, said air vent opening being in said impervious member, said impervious member comprising a tray supporting said absorbent material above said air vent, the bottom of said tray having a plurality of elevations in the portion below said absorbent evaporable material containing means, said air vent being located in a portion of said bottom above the lowest point of said bottom, said normal water level being above said air vent whereby said water entering said air vent lifts evaporable material from said bottom to said absorbent material for reabsorption, the evaporable material being lighter than water and non-miscible therewith, and the absorbent material being supported with its bottom substantially at said normal water level.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the portion of said bottom in which the air vent is provided in spaced relation to said side walls, said bottom having imperforate lower portions surrounding said air vent.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said impervious member is provided with a duct adapted to conduct air from said vent to a remote discharge point, said evaporable material containing means being below the duct.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the absorbent means is initially sealed from contact with the air by a layer of water soluble film.

* a a a i- 

1. In a deodorizer, a chamber adapted to contain water and air, passage means adapted to transfer water to and from said chamber, an air vent opening in said chamber, said opening being adapted to admit air to said chamber when water is drained therefrom and to release air from said chamber when water enters said chamber, absorbent means containing air freshening evaporable material across said air opening, a support adapted to hold the chamber at a pre-selected level in the tank of a water closet relative to normal water level therein, said pre-selected level being such that the normal water level in said tank is above said water passage means and below said absorbent means, an impervious top member extending across the top of said chamber, said air vent opening being in said impervious member, said impervious member comprising a tray supporting said absorbent material above said air vent, the bottom of said tray having a plurality of elevations in the pOrtion below said absorbent evaporable material containing means, said air vent being located in a portion of said bottom above the lowest point of said bottom, said normal water level being above said air vent whereby said water entering said air vent lifts evaporable material from said bottom to said absorbent material for re-absorption, the evaporable material being lighter than water and non-miscible therewith, and the absorbent material being supported with its bottom substantially at said normal water level.
 1. In a deodorizer, a chamber adapted to contain water and air, passage means adapted to transfer water to and from said chamber, an air vent opening in said chamber, said opening being adapted to admit air to said chamber when water is drained therefrom and to release air from said chamber when water enters said chamber, absorbent means containing air freshening evaporable material across said air opening, a support adapted to hold the chamber at a pre-selected level in the tank of a water closet relative to normal water level therein, said pre-selected level being such that the normal water level in said tank is above said water passage means and below said absorbent means, an impervious top member extending across the top of said chamber, said air vent opening being in said impervious member, said impervious member comprising a tray supporting said absorbent material above said air vent, the bottom of said tray having a plurality of elevations in the pOrtion below said absorbent evaporable material containing means, said air vent being located in a portion of said bottom above the lowest point of said bottom, said normal water level being above said air vent whereby said water entering said air vent lifts evaporable material from said bottom to said absorbent material for re-absorption, the evaporable material being lighter than water and non-miscible therewith, and the absorbent material being supported with its bottom substantially at said normal water level.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the portion of said bottom in which the air vent is provided in spaced relation to said side walls, said bottom having imperforate lower portions surrounding said air vent.
 3. The device of claim 1 in which said impervious member is provided with a duct adapted to conduct air from said vent to a remote discharge point, said evaporable material containing means being below the duct. 